Curtisimo’s Top 10 of 2024

[Curtisimo]

In 2024 I focused mainly on my Roman silver collection but I still managed to pick up a few Greek coins and some Roman bronze as well. 2024 was a strong year, though perhaps not as big for my collection as 2023.

As always, please feel free to pick your 3 favorites and let me know what you think of the 10 I chose. 

10 An Assassin of Caesar
Gaius Cassius Longinus (known to history as just Cassius) was the prime mover in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar even though he ceded leadership in the effort to his brother-in-law Brutus. After the assassination, Cassius went east and wrested control of Syria from its governor. He had previously served in the Roman military in the east and was able to draw on his reputation there to gather support. When the second triumvirate was formed in 43 BC he and Brutus decided to meet at Smyrna to coordinate their response. It was probably in Smyrna that this coin was struck, first to pay for Cassius’s expedition against Rhodes and finally for the final battle with Antony and Octavian at Philippi.

This coin has a really nice old provenance to Robert Wilson Hoge, who was curator of the ANA Money Museum from 1981 to 2001 among other numismatic positions. He purchase this coin from Dan Brown Rare Coins in 1964 when he was only about 17 years old. Dan Brown Rare Coins was a coin shop in Denver, CO that was in operation from 1948 to 1974.

Provenance 

• Ex Robert Wilson Hoge collection (b. 1947, Curator of the ANA’s Money Museum from 1981 to 2001) with collector’s handwritten envelope, acquired from Dan Brown Rare Coins in 1964 with tag (Coin shop open from 1948 to 1974 in Denver, CO), Nomos Obolos 34, lot 959 (November 10, 2024)

Roman Republic (Imperatorial)
C. Cassius Longinus and L. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther
AR Denarius, mint moving with the army of Brutus and Cassius, possibly struck in Smyrna, struck ca 43-42 BC
(17.5 mm, 3.42 g, 6 h)
Obv.: C•CASSI•IMP - LEIBERTAS Diademed and veiled head of Libertas to right, wearing earring and pearl necklace. 
Rev.: LENTVLVS / SPINT Jug and lituus
Ref.: Babelon (Cassia) 16, (Cornelia) 75; Crawford 500/5; CRI 221; RBW 1764; RSC 6; Sydenham 1307

9 Lepidus, the Forgotten Triumvir
Lepidus was one of the major players in the years after Julius Caesar’s assassination. He formed part of the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Marc Antony. In the power struggle that ensued he was proven to be less effective than his colleagues and was sidelined. For this reason he is often not well remembered by history. I was very happy to score this portrait example struck during the height of his influence. It also has a great provenance to a hoard that may have been buried by a legionnaire who was killed in battle fighting in Britain under Claudius. See my write up here.

Provenance

• Ex Helmingham Hall Hoard (Discovered September 2019), Noonan’s Auction 303, lot 138 (September 18, 2024)

Roman Republic
Lepidus, The Second Triumvirate 
AR Denarius, Military mint in Italy, spring-summer 42 BC
(17 mm, 3.56g, 9h)
Obv.: [LEPID]VS · PONT · MAX · [III · V · R · P · C] around bare head of Lepidus right.
Rev.: [C ·] CAESAR · IMP [· III · VIR · R · P · C] around bare head of Octavian right.
Ref.: Ghey 311 (this coin); Craw. 495/2; BMCRR Africa 30-31; RSC 2; Sear 140

8 From the Collection of a NF Friend
Gaius Licinius Macer was the moneyer for this issue. He was a historian who wrote a history of Rome in 16 volumes that Livy references in his own histories. In 66 BC he was convicted by Cicero of bribery and he committed suicide.

This coin was in the collection of our NF friend Terrance Cheeseman ( @kapphnwn ). Terrence passed away earlier this year. I will always remember Terrance as a kind and giving man who insisted every year on giving a Saturnalia gift without receiving one back. I feel honored to own this small piece of his wonderful collection.

Provenance

• Ex Walter F. Stoecklin Collection, Amriswil (1888-1975†), purchased from Münzen und Medaillen AG prior to 1975, Nomos Obolos 9, lot 51 (March 25, 2018)
• Ex Terrance Cheesman Collection (1951-2024)(A.K.A. Wild Rose Collection), purchased by him from Shanna Schmidt Numismatics (inventory rr1072) on January 12, 2019 at NYINC, CNG e-Auction 563, lot 669 (June 24, 2024)

Roman Republic
C. Licinius L.f. Macer, moneyer
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck 84 BC
(20mm, 3.82 g, 8h)
Obv.: Diademed bust of Vejovis left, seen from behind, drapery on left shoulder, hurling thunderbolt.
Rev.: Minerva, holding spear, reins, and shield, driving galloping quadriga right. 
Ref.: Crawford 354/1; Sydenham 732; Licinia 16; RBW 1355

7 A Legendary Warrior of the Republic
The reverse of this TV coin shows Marcus Servilius Pulex Geminus in single combat while on horseback. Marcus Servilius was a legendary soldier who according to Livy participated in no less than 23 single combats and won all of them. Livy gives him one of the most amusing speeches to come down to us in the ancient sources. In it Marcus Servilius wins a debate by mocking his young opponent for being scar-free and better at insults than at fighting. In part, he states.

“He has learnt nothing but speech-making, and that only to insult and calumniate. I have fought three-and-twenty times in answer to challenges; from all whom I encountered I carried off the spoils. My body is covered with honourable scars, every one received in front.” - Livy 45:39

This coin was struck by his descendant who wanted to commemorate his famously tough ancestor.

I am also very excited about the provenance for this coin that can be traced back to at least 1889.

Provenance 

• Ex Frederick Hastings Rindge Collection (1857-1905†), loaned for exhibition to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 1889, [Edward Robinson, “CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOAN EXHIBITIONS. For the Year 1889” (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), Annual Report Vol. 14, p. 49 (December 31, 1889)], the Rindge Collection was sold in 1985 in two parts through Malter auctions XXIX and XXX, Malter XXX, lot 1550 (June 7-8, 1985)
• Ex Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid Sale 225, lot 286 (November 30, 2023)

Roman Republic 
C. Servilius Vatia, moneyer 
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck 127 BC
(18 mm, 3.91g)
Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma r., lituus behind, ROMA below, mark of value under chin. 
Rev.: Horseman galloping l., piercing with spear another horseman before him; C SERVEIL (VE ligate) in exergue.
Ref.: Crawford 264/1, Syd-483, RSC Servilia-6.

6 Octavian and the Temple of Julius Caesar
After Caesar’s assassination, Marc Antony gave a famously inflammatory speech that whipped the Roman crowd into a frenzy. The unruly crowd that was gathered in the forum decided to cremate Caesar right then and there, using anything that they could get their hands on to build the pyre. Caesar was later deified by the senate and Octavian decided to build a temple dedicated to him on the spot where he was cremated.

This coin is from near the end of the Second Triumvirate period and shows the temple that was still under construction. DIVO IVL on the entablature refers to Caesar’s deification. Octavian was eager to emphasize this as it gave him prestige as the son of a god. The comet shown in the pediment of the temple is a comet that is said to have shown bright during Caesar’s birth month in July of 44 BC and was interpreted as a sign that his soul had ascended into the realm of the gods. The altar on the left was actually located directly in front of the temple and marks the spot where Caesar was cremated and where offerings have been made for him right down to the present.

Provenance 

• Ex NAC Auction L, lot 1594 (May 18, 2001)

Roman Republic
Octavian as Imperator and Triumvir (43-27 BC) AR Denarius, southern or central Italian mint, struck ca spring-early summer 36 BC.
(17.4 mm, 3.80 g, 5h)
Obv.: Bare head of Octavian right, with beard; IMP•CAESAR•DIVI•F•III• VIR•ITER•R•P•C around.
Rev.: Tetrastyle temple of Divus Julius: statue of Julius Caesar as augur, standing within temple holding lituus; DIVO•IVL on architrave, star within pediment, and lighted altar to left; COS•ITER•ET•TER•DESIG around.

5 An Infant Commodus Type from the Sydenham Collection
This is one of the few coins I was able to write up this year. It’s a really nice example of a type I’ve been after for a long time. The reverse shows Commodus and his twin brother resting on a pulvinar. This is part of a now completed sub-collection of Commodus shown on coins from cradle to grave. See my write up here.

The provenance for this coin is also special as it was part of the Sydenham collection with an auction pedigree going back to 1933. It was also part of the vast Collection of a Mentor.

Provenance

• Ex Edward Allen Sydenham Collection (1873-1948), Hess (Luzern) Auction 218, lot 444 (August 2, 1933).
• Ex Collection of a Mentor (George E. Muller, Director of ancient coins at Spink from 1953-1982), Naville Numismatics Auction 91, lot 665 (August 11, 2024)

Roman Empire
Faustina the Younger, daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius 
AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 161-176
(32.0 mm, 23.73 g)
Obv.: FAVSTINA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r. 
Rev.: SAECVLI FELICIT / S – C The infants Commodus and Antoninus seated facing one another on pulvinar. 
Ref.: C 193. BMC M. Aurelius 936. RIC M. Aurelius 1665.

4 The Legend of Tarpeia
The legend of Tarpeia relates how the Sabines attacked the city of Rome after the abduction of their women. The Sabines managed to bribe a vestal virgin by the name of Tarpeia to open one of the gates into the Capitoline Hill fortress. The story is that she stipulated that her price was for the Sabines to turn over the objects that they wore on their left arm. Sabines warriors apparently wore a gold bracelet and sometimes jewelry on their left arms and Tarpeia expected this would be her reward. Instead, the Sabines crushed her to death with the shields that they carried with their left arm. This scene is what is shown on the coin. This is said to have taken place on a rock outcrop of the Capitoline hill that came to be known after as the Tarpeia Rock. Being thrown from the rock became the standard method of execution for traitors and rebels throughout the Roman period. The last famous prisoner to be thrown from the rock was Simon bar Giora in AD 71 after the Jewish revolt.

Provenance 

• Ex Karl Kreß auction 109, lot 605 (October 24, 1958)

Roman Republic 
L. Titurius Sabinus, moneyer
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck 89 BC.
(18mm, 3.86g)
Obv.: SABIN, head of King Tatius to the right, palm branch below right. 
Rev.: L•TITVRI in exergue, Tarpeia buried to waist in shields, with raised hands as she tries to ward off two soldiers who are about to cast their shields at her; star in crescent above

3 Render Unto Caesar
This coin needs no introduction. The tribute penny is one of the most famous ancient coins you can get. As far back as the early 1600s it has been associated with the coin used by Jesus to explain his position on paying taxes to Rome. The coin type and the history of scholarly debate about it are worthy of their own future write up so I won’t go into it here.

This coin type is quite common though often very expensive. I’ve had my eye open for one that spoke to me for years and I am very happy to have landed this one. The toning and portrait are exactly what I was after and in terms of general eye appeal I think it goes well with the other coins in my 12 Caesars Denarii collection I’ve been working on.

Provenance

• Ex InAsta Auction 113, lot 165 (September 5, 2024)

Roman Empire
Tiberius, AD 14-37
AR Denarius, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, Group 5, struck ca. AD 35-36
(18 mm, 3.69 g)
Obv.: TI CΛESΛR DIVI ΛVG F ΛVGVSTVS, laureate head right; long, parallel ribbons
Rev.: PONTIF MΛXIM, Livia (as Pax) seated right, holding vertical scepter in right hand and olive branch in left, feet on footstool; ornate chair legs, single line below. 

2 The Colossus of Nero
The Colossus was a giant 120’ tall bronze statue of Nero as Helios. Hadrian moved it from its original location in Nero’s Domus Aureus to a location next to the amphitheater, which is why the amphitheater came to be called the Colosseum. The statue was designed by an artist named Zenodorus. Pliny mentions that he saw a model of the Colossus in Zenodorus’s workshop before the larger statue was built.

This coin shows the Colossus, but not in its final form that we see on later coins with a rudder and column. The statue was started no earlier that the fire of AD 64 and it wasn’t completed until the mid 70s under Vespasian. Nero died in AD 68 well before the statue could have been anywhere near completion and we know that some aspects of the design were altered. It’s not uncommon for emperors to strike coins showing monuments that are under construction but not complete. It’s possible that this coin type was modeled on Zenodorus’s model mentioned by Pliny and would therefore have represented the statue as Nero intended it.

Provenance

• Ex CNG E-auction 157, lot 298 (Jan. 31, 2007)

Roman Empire
Nero, AD 54-68
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck circa AD 64-65
(17 mm, 3.19 g)
Obv.: NERO CAESAR, Laureate head right
Rev.: AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS, Nero as Helios standing facing, togate and radiate, holding Victory and laurel branch
Ref.: RIC I 47; RSC 45

1 Of the Finest Style
This coin is a beautiful example of Sicilian numismatic artistry at its finest. It was struck by Agathokles of Syracuse. There are two parallel issues of this coin type struck by Syracuse and they are notable for the huge variance in style. This coin is the fine style type. A few years ago I bought an example of the crude style. There are some intriguing theories as to why two coins from the same period and issuing authority should display such a difference in artistic quality. At some point in the future I will put together a write up about it.

Either way, I am extremely happy to have won this beautiful and historically interesting coin. It tops my list of acquisitions for the year.

Provenance 

• Ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 152, lot 1139 (October 10, 2006)
• Ex CNG Mail Bid Sale 76, lot 169 (September 12, 2007)
• Ex Stacks New York 2011 International Sale, lot 40 (January 10, 2011)
• CNG e-Auction 267, lot 25 (November 2, 2011)

Sicily, Syracuse
Agathokles (317-289 BC) 
AR-Tetradrachm, struck circa 310-306/5 BC
(24.2 mm, 16.91 g, 5h)
Obv.: KOPAΣ Head of Kore (Persephone?) to right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring and pearl necklace.
Rev.: AGAQOKLEOS in exergue, Nike, bare to waist, standing right, about to attach a helmet to a trophy, she holds a hammer in her right hand and a nail in her left, AN or AV monogram; to right, triskeles.
Ref.: Ierardi 95 (O19/R61); SNG ANS 664; Gulbenkian 336 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 1347 (same obv. die)

………………………..

Thank you all for reading. As always feel free to post anything you think is relevant.

Edited December 30, 2024 by Curtisimo

[CPK]

A splendid Top Ten list @Curtisimo! It was a treat to go through it. It's hard to pick favorites, but I think I agree with you and vote for #1, 2, and 3 as my favorites! I am partial to Roman Imperial coinage and that Tiberius is remarkable. Also the Nero denarius, with that very fine portrait, and unusually detailed reverse. And of course, that Agathokles tetradrachm - not just of beautiful style, but condition-wise almost as struck. 🤩

Congratulations on a fine year of collecting!

[Al Kowsky]

Curtis, You added a sensational group of coins this year 😮! My 3 favorites are #1, 8, & 2, in that order ☺️.

[ambr0zie]

Spendid indeed. I chose 2,3 and 6 because these coins look (but the emphasis is on look)  "tangible" for the average collector. Other examples from this least appear from other league.  

[Qcumbor]

My own choices are #1, #8 and #2. As I'm typing I get a notification saying @Al Kowsky has posted the same three in the same order !  Not a surprise since we often have similar tastes in coins.

@Curtisimo all ten coins are wonderful and with grest provenance for most of them. That Agathokles tet is outstanding

Q

[Cordoba]

#1 and the macer denarius is my favorite, spearthruster portraits are great

[El Cazador]

23 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Curtis, You added a sensational group of coins this year 😮! My 3 favorites are #1, 8, & 2, in that order ☺️.

Always think alike, these were my top 3 choices

[Ryro]

Excellent coins and what a great year!!! I was confused starting at the top wondering how the next coin could possibly top the previous, but man, you did it!

Your top 2 are absolute showstoppers! Though, like many, I had to pick your ex Terrence Cheesman for third. Amazing provenance, a lefty, and the artistry on yours is the best I've seen of the type. Compare to my humblest version:

Licinia

Denarius. AR. Rome. (84 B.C.). A / Head diademada of Apollo Vejovisto the left with beam of rays in the hand. R / Minerva in quadriga to der., Below (C LICINIVS L F / MACER). 3.38g. FFC.803. BC- / RC. FrI'm Pliego

Great stuff and here's to an even better 2025!

Edited December 29, 2024 by Ryro

[Alegandron]

FANTASTIC @Curtisimo ! 

[JayAg47]

Love that Nero! 

[Grudissius Minimus]

Hey @Curtisimo,

What a great group of coins.

  Ive not seen the Augustus with the Temple of Julius Ceasar denarius before, so that was a treat to discover. 
My favorites are : 2, 3 and 6 in that order.

All the best!

Groody.

[I_v_a_n]

Congratulations for a great acquisitions, and my votes for numbers 1 and 2. And for me this is a case to remind your help to me with a provenance confirmation for same type Nero and say "Thank you!" again.

Agathokles tetradrachm from exactly this pair of dies is also a long time position from the top of my numismatic wishes. Difficult enough to reach. Congratulations!

[Curtisimo]

On 12/29/2024 at 3:58 PM, CPK said:

A splendid Top Ten list @Curtisimo! It was a treat to go through it. It's hard to pick favorites, but I think I agree with you and vote for #1, 2, and 3 as my favorites! I am partial to Roman Imperial coinage and that Tiberius is remarkable. Also the Nero denarius, with that very fine portrait, and unusually detailed reverse. And of course, that Agathokles tetradrachm - not just of beautiful style, but condition-wise almost as struck. 🤩

Congratulations on a fine year of collecting!

Thanks Connor!

On 12/29/2024 at 4:04 PM, Al Kowsky said:

Curtis, You added a sensational group of coins this year 😮! My 3 favorites are #1, 8, & 2, in that order ☺️.

On 12/29/2024 at 4:09 PM, Qcumbor said:

My own choices are #1, #8 and #2. As I'm typing I get a notification saying @Al Kowsky has posted the same three in the same order !  Not a surprise since we often have similar tastes in coins.

@Curtisimo all ten coins are wonderful and with grest provenance for most of them. That Agathokles tet is outstanding

Q

On 12/29/2024 at 4:28 PM, El Cazador said:

Always think alike, these were my top 3 choices

On 12/29/2024 at 4:13 PM, Cordoba said:

#1 and the macer denarius is my favorite, spearthruster portraits are great

Great minds think alike for sure. 🙂 

I’m pleased at all the love that Terrances’ Macer denarius is getting. I was really worried I was going to get shut out in those sales and I feel very fortunate to win this example. There was a lot of competition which is not surprising when considering his wonderful collection.

On 12/29/2024 at 4:06 PM, ambr0zie said:

Spendid indeed. I chose 2,3 and 6 because these coins look (but the emphasis is on look)  "tangible" for the average collector. Other examples from this least appear from other league.  

Thanks @ambr0zie. The tribute penny is probably the most accessible since it is so common and is consistently offered in every conceivable grade. The reason it took me so long to pick one up is that I wanted one that looked comparable to my other 12 Caesars examples. 🙂 

On 12/29/2024 at 4:53 PM, Ryro said:

Excellent coins and what a great year!!! I was confused starting at the top wondering how the next coin could possibly top the previous, but man, you did it!

Your top 2 are absolute showstoppers! Though, like many, I had to pick your ex Terrence Cheesman for third. Amazing provenance, a lefty, and the artistry on yours is the best I've seen of the type. Compare to my humblest version:

Licinia

Denarius. AR. Rome. (84 B.C.). A / Head diademada of Apollo Vejovisto the left with beam of rays in the hand. R / Minerva in quadriga to der., Below (C LICINIVS L F / MACER). 3.38g. FFC.803. BC- / RC. FrI'm Pliego

Great stuff and here's to an even better 2025!

Thank you Ryan. Great Macer!

On 12/29/2024 at 6:30 PM, Alegandron said:

FANTASTIC @Curtisimo ! 

15 hours ago, JayAg47 said:

Love that Nero! 

Thank you for the kind words! 🙂 

10 hours ago, Grudissius Minimus said:

Hey @Curtisimo,

What a great group of coins.

  Ive not seen the Augustus with the Temple of Julius Ceasar denarius before, so that was a treat to discover. 
My favorites are : 2, 3 and 6 in that order.

All the best!

Groody.

Thanks Groody! Yes I was really happy to score the JC temple. That coin will deserve its own write up eventually. The ruins of the altar and the base of the temple are still there. Travelers and Roman’s alike leave flowers on the altar to this day to commemorate the spot where Caesar was cremated.

7 hours ago, I_v_a_n said:

Congratulations for a great acquisitions, and my votes for numbers 1 and 2. And for me this is a case to remind your help to me with a provenance confirmation for same type Nero and say "Thank you!" again.

Agathokles tetradrachm from exactly this pair of dies is also a long time position from the top of my numismatic wishes. Difficult enough to reach. Congratulations!

Thank you Ivan! Yes I remember it was a treat to look up your example. What a beautiful coin! Glad to help.

I was really happy to score the Agathokles example. It was my biggest purchase of the year and I managed to score it for less than it hammered in 2011. To be honest I am surprised the Nero is beating it so handily in the poll. It’s alway fun to see what fellow collectors like best.

[panzerman]

Curtis/ I agree with Q and Al/ 1  8  2 in that order.

 

Great provenances and writeups!

 

John

[Di Nomos]

Tough choice, I voted for 6, 8 & 4. Really like the history behind #6, as well as being a very attractive coin.

5 & 1 were unlucky to miss out. 

The rest are great too. Congratulations on an excellent year of collecting.

[Nikodeimos]

I love the piece from the Rindge collection! What a pedigree.

[SimonW]

What an incredible set, beautifully provenanced and thoroughly documented! My favorites are the Agathokles Tetradrachm for its stunning style and the C. Servilius Vatia Denarius for its exceptional provenance.